Anyone every swappped out the hard top for a soft top on a 1990? Any thoughtful advice on steps to take and best equipment to use? I replaced the soft top on my 1997 without too much trouble - just that I am spoiled without much expereince on the earlier models - my 1978 cj was just plain naked all the time. Many thanks - this is Jeep number 5 for my daughter lol.
Nick
There are two OEM models of soft top for the YJ, plus a couple others like the Bestop Supertop. The first thing you are going to run into is that the full hard doors don't fit the OEM half door soft top, which is in my opinion the only soft top worth having. The OEM hard door soft top leaks water where the top of the hard doors are supposed to seal against it, and there isn't much you can do about it. I personally don't understand why anyone would want a soft top, if when they put it down they had to drive around with dorky looking full doors.
Make absolutely sure, whatever soft top you are getting, that it will work with the doors you plan to use with it. There are some combinations that are "supposed to" work, but when you call the factory representative, they admit that "there will be some leakage". If it is at all cold or rainy where you live, you don't want that.
I put my hard top on a set of saw horses and a shelf that goes on top, that I built to just the right height, for sliding it on and off the Jeep. The hard top is pretty heavy, but if you take your time and line things up just right, it is no trouble at all changing it.
Earle
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required